Pumped storage water electric power generation facility and reservoir utilizing coal combustion residuals

ABSTRACT

A pumped storage electricity generating system that includes a water feed line for introducing water into a pressure vessel. Water flow valves communicate with the pressure vessel to control introduction of water into the pressure vessel. A push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between opposed first and second winches adapted for reciprocating the push plate linearly between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel through the water flow valves and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This utility patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/316,429, filed May 10, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/013,070, filed on Sep. 4, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/993,718, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/713,359, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/779,686, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the construction and use of pumped storage water reservoirs and, in particular, the construction of such reservoirs utilizing Coal Combustion Residuals (referred to as “CCRs” throughout this application). CCRs, also referred to as “coal ash”, is produced primarily from the burning of coal in coal-fired power plants. Coal ash includes a number of by-products produced from burning coal, including “fly ash”, a very fine, powdery material composed mostly of silica made from the burning of finely ground coal in a boiler; “bottom ash”, a coarse, angular ash particle that is too large to be carried up into the smoke stacks so it forms in the bottom of the coal furnace; “boiler slag”, a molten bottom ash from slag tap and cyclone type furnaces that turns into pellets that have a smooth glassy appearance after it is cooled with water; and “flue gas desulfurization material”, a material leftover from the process of reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from a coal-fired boiler that can be a wet sludge consisting of calcium sulfite or calcium sulfate or a dry powered material that is a mixture of sulfites and sulfates. Other types of residues include fluidized bed combustion ash, cenospheres, and scrubber residues. CCRs are disposed of or used in different ways depending on the type of by-product, the processes at the plant and the regulations the power plant has to follow.

Some power plants dispose of CCRs in surface impoundments or in landfills, or recycle it into products like concrete or wallboard. CCRs are increasingly regulated to prevent or reduce environmental impact from various disposal methods. In many instances, CCRs must be converted to “beneficial uses” in a manner that does not pollute air, water or ground.

These regulatory requirements are increasingly interrelated with the trend of reducing the use of fossil fuels based on goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and with the greater dependence on the use of renewable energy. Because of these factors, the need and demand for grid-scale long duration energy storage continues to increase and will likely increase at a greater rate in the future. The need for long duration energy storage facilities will continue to increase because renewable energy, for example, various tide, wind and solar technologies, often do not produce the energy when it is required. Periodic shortfalls in energy availability must therefore be backed up with available power from other sources not subject to the variability and interruptions inherent in most renewable energy technologies.

Energy storage is also in demand for continuous running base load plants that are fueled by nuclear and/or fossil fuels to allow for optimum efficiency in the use of these types of plants. While some embodiments of the apparatus according to this invention allow for electrical energy production without greenhouse gas emissions, there are also methods of generating grid-scale long-term energy storage and electrical production that are low in greenhouse gases per megawatt of electrical energy produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is an increasing need for long term energy storage facilities at the same time as an increasing need to control the manner in which CCRs are utilized so as to minimize environmental impacts from continuing production of CCR-type byproducts of fossil fuel energy production. There is also the need for remediation of existing CCR ponds and landfills which are leaching constituents of concern into groundwater. These and other objects and advantages are achieved by providing a pumped storage electricity generating system that includes open loop, recirculating and closed looped capabilities.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pumped storage electricity generating system includes a pressure vessel, a water feed line for introducing water into the pressure vessel from a water source, a push plate for reciprocating movement within the pressure vessel, a first push plate driver adapted for moving the push plate within the pressure vessel in a first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel, a second push plate driver adapted for moving the push plate in a second direction that is the reciprocal of the first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel and a water outflow for conveying the water pressure generated in the pressure vessel to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pressure vessel is provided containing a series of air dispersing plates that receives pressurized air through a series of spaced-apart air delivery feed tubes fed by a pressurized air delivery line, air flow valves communicating with the pressure vessel to control introduction of pressurized air into the pressure vessel through a plurality of air entry orifices and air exhaust orifices. A water feed line is provided for introducing water into the pressure vessel, and water flow valves communicate with the pressure vessel to control introduction of water into the pressure vessel. The pressurized air dispersed by the air dispersing plates is adapted to uniformly give up energy to the water in the pressure vessel. A water discharge line communicates with the pressure vessel for conveying water downstream under pressure to a hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessel is adapted to work in an open loop, continuous cyclical manner during hydroelectric power generation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels are lower in elevation than the water source and located at a higher elevation than the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels are positioned in a parallel/side-by-side array.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels are positioned in a series/in-line array.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pump hydroelectric generation facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir are contained in respective upper and lower impoundments constructed of encapsulated CCR, reinforced CCR slopes and a covering of natural or synthetic vegetation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper and lower impoundments each include a base lined with an impervious liner and the reinforced CCR slopes are protected and reinforced by a roller compacted concrete berm encircling the respective upper and lower reservoirs.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between first and second winches adapted for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between first and second piston/cylinder assemblies adapted for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate includes friction-reducing rollers.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pumped storage electricity generating system is provided and includes a leak detection system that includes a primary leak detection zone constructed of an impervious liner, a geocomposite clay layer and a layer of encapsulated CCR, a drainage layer and a base.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pumped storage electricity generating system includes an upper reservoir and a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper reservoir is formed by a dam behind which is stored water to be transferred to the pressure vessel, the dam being constructed at least in part of CCR.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dam is constructed of CCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials and the sloped sides of the dam are protected from weather and erosion by materials selected from the group consisting of rip rap, stone and environmental fabrics.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base of the dam is constructed at least in part of CCR and is of a design selected from the group consisting of simple, slope-sided, core, diaphragm and sheet pile dams.

According to another aspect of the invention, a roller compacted concrete dam is constructed of multiple layers of compacted concrete formed in a stair step configuration and a secondary redundant dam with sloped sides constructed of CCR as a sole construction material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pressure vessel according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the pressure vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section of FIG. 1 in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a circulating system that uses three pressure vessels that contain fixed air dispersing plates;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a pressure vessel that uses hydraulic cylinders to pressurize water contained inside of a pressure vessel;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pressure vessel of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a preferred embodiment of three pressure vessels that work in a continuous cyclical operation;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation cross-section of the pressure vessels of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows side elevations of simple, core and diaphragm earthen dams;

FIG. 10 is a cross section of one embodiment of a dam constructed using sheet piling;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of one embodiment of a dam constructed using rock fill;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a roller compacted concrete dam, with a secondary/redundant dam for safety constructed out of earthen materials;

FIG. 13 is a cross section of a water storage system having upper and lower storage reservoirs;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-section of a single action, one way pressure vessel;

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-section of an embodiment of a double-acting pressure vessel adapted to push water in the pressure vessel using winches;

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 15 showing winch-activated water movement in a first direction;

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 15 showing winch-activated water movement in a second, opposite direction; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic side elevation showing use of a horizontal hydraulic cylinder to charge the pressure vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one preferred embodiment of a pumped storage water FIGS. 1 and 2 are top plan, and vertical cross-section views of a pressure vessel 26 used to pressurize water that is then delivered downstream to a hydroelectric turbine. The pressure vessel system 10 includes a pressure vessel 26 that is constructed of suitable pressure-resistant materials, which may include high-strength metals in combination with other non-metallic reinforcing materials. The pressure vessel 26 contains a series of air dispersing plates 12 that receive air pressurized by an air compressor/pressurized air storage tank “AC”, see FIG. 2, through a series of spaced-apart air delivery feed tubes 14 fed by a pressurized air delivery line 16 from the air compressor “AC”. Air flow into the pressure vessel 26 is controlled by air flow valves 18. Water to be pressurized is fed into the pressure vessel 26 through a water feed line 20 that branches into a series of water feed tubes 22. Water flow into the pressure vessel 26 is controlled by a series of water flow valves 24. Air is fed from the pressurized air delivery feed tubes 14 through air entry orifices 28 into the pressure vessel 26 and exits the pressure vessel 26 through air exhaust orifices 30. The pressurized air dispersed by the air dispersing plates 12 uniformly gives up its energy to the water in the pressure vessel 26, which is forced out of the pressure vessel 26 through discharge feed lines 25 and valves 27 and into a pressured water discharge line 32 and conveyed downstream under pressure to a hydroelectric turbine. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispersal of the air laterally results in pressure being applied to the water, which is at the same or similar level as the air dispersing plates 12 at the start of the discharge cycle.

The air dispersing plates 12 are stationary and disperse/diffuse air under pressure to travel horizontally across the surface of the water in the pressure vessel 26 in lieu of jetting downward into the water. The stationary air dispersing plates 12 are less expensive than the cost of construction of a horizontal plate, which travels vertically up and down inside of pressure vessel to pressurize the water. Another advantage is the decreased cost of maintenance of the fixed air dispersing plates 12. The stationary air dispersing plates 12 are supported by spaced-apart structural supports 34. See FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a top plan view is shown of a closed-loop circulating system that uses three pressure vessels 10 that contain fixed air dispersing plates 12, as described above. The pressure vessels 10 reside in a parallel/side-by-side layout, as shown, but may also be placed in series/in-line relationship to each other. In FIG. 4, water is taken into the pressure vessels 10 through intake structures 36, which may be gravity feed or mechanical pumps, from an upstream water source such as a river, as shown, or from a natural or manmade lake, impoundment or other water source and delivered into the pressure vessels 10 through the water feed lines 20. Air pressure is controlled by an air pressure regulator 38. Pressurized water rotates the hydroelectric turbine 40 and the water, exhausted of its energy, flows under gravitational influence through a water return conduit 42 and back into the water source. If dammed, as shown, the system is effectively a closed-loop system since the exhausted water is returned to the same source as where the upstream water is being taken from the water source and delivered to the pressure vessel 26.

While only one pressure vessel 26 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in practice a plurality of pressure vessels 10 will operate together in a staged sequence whereby pressurized water is always being sent to the hydroelectric turbine by an operation of at least one of the pressure vessels 10 while the other pressure vessels 10 are in different stages of operation, as shown in FIG. 3.

As an alternative to the arrangement of FIGS. 1-4, pneumatic cylinder pistons and hydro-pneumatic cylinder pistons can be used as the main piston for the apparatus in this invention in this application or they can be used as the piston(s) for the reuse of piston air as described below. These pistons can also use a parasitic load to run a hydraulic pump to increase the pressure with fluids if required.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a pressure vessel 50 that uses hydraulic cylinders to apply pressure upon water inside of the pressure vessel is shown. The pressure vessel 50 is supported within a support structure 51, which includes a foundation.

Although FIGS. 5 and 6 show structural supports that are each two cylinders wide, there may be one to many cylinders at each structural support location. A push plate 52 is mounted for reciprocating movement in the pressure vessel 50. Reciprocation of the push plate 52 occurs by operation of piston/cylinder assemblies 53 that are mounted on the support structure 51 and attached to the push plate 52. The piston/cylinder assemblies 53, which include double-acting lines, act as “drivers” and may be hydraulically or pneumatically powered, or air actuators may be used. Water enters the pressure vessel 50 thorough a valved water refill line 49 and is forced by pressure applied by the push plate 52 through a valved penstock water discharge line 55 to a downstream hydroelectric turbine via the penstock 56.

While only one pressure vessel 50 is shown, in practice a plurality of pressure vessels 50 will operate together in a staged sequence whereby pressurized water is always being sent to the hydroelectric turbine by at operation of at least one of the pressure vessels 50, while the other pressure vessels 50 are in different stages of operation.

The hydraulic cylinders 53 and push plate 52, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, can be re-configured in many different ways to push water from the sides or bottom of the pressure vessel 50. Hydraulic cylinders 53 can also be configured to pull the water toward the penstock, acting as a driver to pressurize the water, while the double acting hydraulic cylinders 53 are in the retracting mode of operation. Having the hydraulic cylinders configured to push or pull water from the side(s) of the pressure vessel 50 will allow for the simple collection of hydraulic fluid in the event of a hydraulic oil leak from defectives seals, lines, or cylinders. Air is vented from the pressure vessel 50 through air vents 57.

To remove possible concerns of governmental permitting authorities, governmental oversight, and inspection departments and/or agencies, along with environmental groups, a hydraulic pump can also be used to pressurize water in the pressure vessel 50 by using one or more hydraulically operated winches acting as drivers to push water toward the penstock as described in further detail below. This method keeps the hydraulic oil at a greater distance from the water inside the pressure vessel 50 as compared to the hydraulic cylinders 53 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The winch embodiment inherently adds environmental safety features in case of the unintentional mixing of hydraulic oil with the water inside the pressure vessels. The mechanical advantage of using modern hydraulic pumps and winches can be further increased by using pulleys (block and tackle system) to increase the amount of pressure that can be exerted upon the water inside the pressure vessels as the water is pushed toward the penstock.

When pneumatic cylinders or air actuators are used in lieu of hydraulic cylinders, the pressurized air, which is released after the push plate 52 has been used to discharge the water from the pressure vessel 50, can be reused to engage a cylinder 53 to retract the push plate 52 to its upper elevation to allow for the faster refilling of the pressure vessel 50 with water.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a preferred embodiment of three pressure vessels 10 that work in an open loop, continuous cyclical fashion during the hydroelectric power generation is shown. The pressure vessels may be the pressure vessels 10 of FIGS. 1-4, as indicated, or the pressure vessels 50 of FIGS. 5 and 6. The pressure vessel 26 and water intakes 36 are lower in elevation than the water source and located at a higher elevation of the hydroelectric turbine 40.

FIG. 7 shows the pressure vessels 10 in a parallel/side-by-side layout, but these pressure vessels 10 can also be placed in series/in-line to each other if the site conditions warrant. Pressurized water discharge lines 32 convey water to the hydroelectric turbine 40. Water is returned to the water source by the water return conduit 42 to a tail water area downstream of, for example, a dam so that the system is an open loop system.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view cross-section of FIG. 7. This preferred embodiment can be used with any of the pressure vessel types disclosed in this invention. The pressure vessels 10 configuration, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be revised so that the hydroelectric turbine is higher in elevation than the pressure vessels. When the apparatus of this invention is constructed near the coast, this configuration will allow for protection from water surges as occurs during hurricanes and/or storms. The pressure vessels 10 in this configuration can be refilled by pumps or constructed at an elevation lower than the top of the water elevation.

Referring now to FIG. 9, three types of dams 60, 66 and 74 are shown that can be used for the construction of a reservoir/water impoundments disclosed in this application. Dam 60 is a “simple” dam that includes sloped sides 62 constructed according to known civil engineering principles and requirements.

Dam 66 is a “core” dam constructed according to known civil engineering principles and requirements and includes a reinforcing “core” 68 that is anchored below grade to provide resistance against lateral shifting of the sloped sides 70.

Dam 74 is a “diaphragm” dam constructed according to known civil engineering principles and requirements and includes reinforcing diaphragms 75, 76 and 77 that are anchored below grade to provide resistance against lateral shifting of the sloped sides 78.

Dams 60, 66 and 74 may include or consist of construction materials such as earth of various types, or earth intermixed with other materials such as stone and other aggregates. For purposes of this application the dams 60, 66 and 74 are preferably constructed beneficially using CCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials such as earth.

FIG. 10 illustrates a dam 80 in cross-section constructed using sheet piling 82 as a central reinforcement. As with the dams in FIG. 9, dam 80 is preferably constructed beneficially using CCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials such as earth. The sloped sides 84 are protected from weather and erosion by rip rap 86 and/or stone 88. While not shown, environmental fabrics or suitable type can be used under the rip rap 86 or stone 88 for further protection.

Referring to FIG. 11, yet another dam 90 is shown in cross-section as illustrative of several different possible types of dams constructed with rock fill 92 and defines slopes 94. In the example illustrated, the rock fill 92 is covered with an impervious membrane 96, which in turn is covered with a protective covering of rip rap 98.

Referring to FIG. 12, a roller compacted concrete dam 100 is shown, and includes multiple layers 102 of roller compacted concrete formed in a stair step configuration. A secondary/redundant dam 104 with sloped sides 106 for safety constructed out of materials, which may include CCR either as a sole construction material, with other materials such as rock, sand, binders and earth, or earth as a sole material.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a pump hydroelectric generation facility 110 that includes an upper reservoir 112, a feed water penstock 114 that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir 112 to and through a power house 116 and into a lower reservoir 118. In the embodiment of FIG. 13 the upper reservoir 112 is contained in an impoundment 120 constructed of encapsulated CCR 122, reinforced CCR slopes 124 and a covering 126 of vegetation. The base 128 of impoundment 120 is lined with an impervious liner 130 and the bottom of the upper reservoir 112 is similarly lined with an impervious liner 132. The upper slopes 124 are protected by a strengthened CCR berm 134 encircling the upper reservoir 112 that may include synthetic fabric for slope stability berm 134. The lower reservoir 118 is likewise lined with an impervious liner 136. If the lower reservoir is a pond that once held CCR and was excavated to make the CCR base for the upper reservoir—no liner will be required. This could change based on soil conditions of the site.

The pump hydroelectric generation facility 110 includes an optional leak detection system 140 that is placed below the upper reservoir 112. The leak detection system can be designed in many different configurations that achieve the same results, which is to be capable of determining if there is a leak in the protective barrier, typically a liner or some other barrier feature of the facility 110 has been damaged and/or compromised to the point of failure. Leak detection systems 140 may be included in more than one area or elevation, may have one or multiple liner systems, may use one of several or a combination of liner type materials such as HPDE(s) or Geocomposite Clay Liner(s), may contain different thicknesses and types of material for the drainage layer, may include none or multiple layers of encapsulated CCR, which may vary, may use super absorbent polymers (SAP) or other commercially available products in the drainage layer or leak detection zone, may use other soil types, or may use other materials. In the leak detection system 140 of FIG. 13, a primary leak detection zone 142 includes the liner 132, which may be textured 60 mil HDPE, a geocomposite clay layer 144, preferably 18 inches thick, and a 4 foot layer 146 of microencapsulated CCR.

A drainage layer, which is part of the primary leak detection zone 142, resides above the layer of microencapsulated CCR 146 and below the geocomposite clay layer 144. One method for the drainage layer would be a granular material that will let the liquid run to the side of the structure—which would be readily visible. The drainage layer may be a granular material that will allow the liquid run to the side of the structure—which would be readily visible. The leak detection system sits on the base 128 of the impoundment 120. Sensors may be provided at positions in the top and bottom areas of the leak detection system to provide an alert if a leak above a predetermined threshold value occurs.

In addition to the cost effective construction method of beneficially using CCR for construction of fossil fuel storage facilities and/or pumped-storage reservoirs, many coal-fired power plants have been retrofitted to use natural gas in lieu of coal to lessen CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in the electrical generation process. The gas lines that supply the natural gas to these power plants can be used to deliver natural gas to a fossil fuel storage facility during peak or off-peak electrical generation hours, depending on the capacity of the gas supply network.

All of the the pressure vessels disclosed in this application can be used with or without the beneficial use of CCR for the construction of the pumped storage reservoir and/or the fossil fuel gas storage facility.

The mechanical design of a hydroelectric turbine generator used in the power-generating mode allows for a greater fluctuation in water head height than the operating range for water pumps that are used to fill the reservoirs in the recharging/refilling mode. As an example, a hydroelectric turbine generator could allow for a fluctuation in the depth of water in the reservoir of approximately 1.5 times the design depth (100 feet to 150 feet in height), whereas a pump would need multiple different pumps configurations to push against the increased water head pressure to pump and refill the water reservoir from its lowest level to its highest level (as an example, 100 to 150 feet in height). The hydroelectric turbine generator also has its greatest efficiency when the head pressure of the upper reservoir fluctuates a small percentage in its optimal design depth. These engineering design characteristics will allow some applications, with sites that do not have engineering constraints, such as blue line stream and/or protected wetlands, to have a reservoir with a wider base and less height versus having a higher elevation reservoir with less area of the reservoir base.

Some hydroelectric turbines operate in reverse fashion, which allows the same machine to pump water to a higher elevation to refill the upper reservoir in addition to being the hydroelectric generation unit when electricity is produced. Hydroelectric generation units can be either synchronous or asynchronous (induction) generators. Although asynchronous generators require inverters or power electronics to get the electric power to grid frequency, there may be engineering design reasons when either a synchronous or an asynchronous type of hydro electrical generation units will be used with this invention.

Some hydroelectric pump storage facilities have separate pump(s) and separate hydroelectric generator(s). The pumps normally sit idle when the hydroelectric turbines are being used, but they can have the ability to operate at full or reduced capacity while the hydroelectric turbine electrical generator(s) are operating. When the depth of the upper reservoir has a large fluctuation from its lowest level to its highest level of water elevations, it may require several different types of pumps to compensate for the large variations in elevation of the water during the recharging/refilling mode. Having several different refill pumps for a single reservoir decreases the utilization for each pump, which increases the overall cost per electrical production. There may be economic and/or engineering design reasons when separate pump(s) and separate hydroelectric turbine(s) will be used. There may also be economic and/or engineering design reasons where one machine can provide both the pumping and the hydroelectric generation.

The apparatus in this invention can be used in many different locations that have varying degrees of topography and many different types of onsite or nearby geotechnical materials that may be used to economically construct both the upper and lower reservoirs.

Based on the water pump and hydroelectric turbine design characteristics as discussed above, and with the understanding that many sites will allow for an upper reservoir that has a greater footprint/area in size and less depth in water and still hold approximately the same water volume for the pump storage reservoir with a smaller footprint but with a deeper water impoundment area due to site constraints. The apparatus of this invention can be used on sites with CCR, but can also be used on sites that have no CCR and where other construction materials may be the best choice for the most economical and cost effective method to construct dams, impoundments, or reservoirs other than roller-compacted concrete or strengthened CCR. There are many different types of dam and reservoirs that can be constructed for use with the apparatus in this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a single action, one-way pressure vessel 160 is shown in cross-section. The pressure vessel 160 is an integral component of an electricity generating facility as described in this application that includes an upstream water supply, a downstream hydroelectric turbine and a downstream water discharge zone that may be a closed loop or open loop system. Also as disclosed, a plurality of pressure vessels 160 will operate in sequence whereby pressurized water is at all times being supplied to the downstream hydroelectric turbine. The pressure vessel 160 uses a hydraulically operated winch 162 and cable 164 as a driver to move a push plate 166 mounted for reciprocating movement within the pressure vessel 160. As shown, movement of the push plate 166 towards the winch 162 pressurizes water in the pressure vessel 160 and forces the water through a water discharge line 168 to a penstock, not shown. A separate, less powerful winch 170 and cable 172 can be used to retract the push plate 166 during the water refilling cycle. Water is introduced into the pressure vessel 160 through water feed lines 174. Air is exhausted from the pressure vessel 160 through air vents 176.

FIG. 14 shows only one connection point of the cable 164 to the push plate 166, but depending on the design pressure of the hydroelectric turbine there may be several cables and/or several connection points to the push plate 166. The pressure vessel 160 is shown as rectangular in shape, but many different configurations including circular or trapezoidal pressure vessels can be used.

Single drum or double drum winches, or one to multiple winches may be used for each pressure vessel 160 depending on the size and design pressure. The design may use no pulleys or several different pulleys inside a block and tackle system configuration. The use of pulleys has the mechanical advantage of allowing the use of the same power rated winch to increase the pressure on the water inside the pressure vessel with the disadvantage of the increased cost of additional cable length and spooling capabilities of the winch for the lengthened cable that is used in a pulley system.

FIG. 14 shows the pressure vessel 160 being level in elevation, but the pressure vessel 160 can be sloped in many different directions but with the preferred embodiment of sloping the pressure vessel toward the water discharge line 168 that leads to the penstock with the optional use of fairleads and or fixed placed sheaves to guide the cables 164 and 172. This possible sloped configuration will allow gravity to create momentum of the mass of water at the start of the discharge cycle of the pressure vessel 160. Although not shown in FIG. 14, pressurized air and/or hydraulic rams may be used to create the momentum of the mass of water inside the pressure vessel when the winch 162 starts to pull the push plate 166 at the start of the discharge cycle mode of operations. Pressurized air or air blowers may supplement the pressure on the water inside the pressure vessel during the discharge cycle by depositing the air on the backside of the push plate 166, in addition to the forward propelling forces created by the winch 162. The cable 164, which travels from the inside of the pressure vessel 160 toward the winches 162 and 172, can be covered with a polymer or other type of material which will allow for a low friction interaction between the cables 164, 172 and their respective passage points from inside the pressure vessel 160 to outside the pressure vessel 160.

Water inflow and outflow values will operate and function in the same manner as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/013,070 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,781,787 B2 and 10,871,142 B2. The air vents 176 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14 will open as the push plate 166 passes their locations as it travels towards the water discharge line 168. The opening of the air vents 176 will allow air to flow inside the pressure vessel 160 so as not to cause suction forces on the back of the push plate 166. The functional air vents 176 will be closed at the start of the winch-pulling mode, so that water does not pass through the air vents 176 Rollers 178 on the push plate 166 reduce friction on the top, bottom, and both sides of the push plate 166 as it moves. A drain 180 permits the pressure vessel 160 to be emptied as needed.

The winch 162 of FIG. 14 is preferably a hydraulically operated winch, but electric and pneumatic winches can be used if desired. The pressure vessel 160 can be refilled with mechanical refill pumps, but the pressure vessel 160 can also be placed at an elevation lower than the water source, which could allow gravity and/or a combination of pump(s) to be used to refill the pressure vessel 160. The push plate 166 can have an increased depth to provide more stability and reduce the ability of the push plate 166 to misalign during operation.

Referring to FIG. 15, a double-acting pressure vessel 190 is illustrated that includes pulling winches 192 and 194 on opposing ends of the pressure vessel 190 and are designed to act as drivers to alternately push water out of both ends of the pressure vessel 190. A cable 196 connects the winches 192, 194 and is attached to a push plate 198. For further detail of push plate 198, see push plate 166 of FIG. 14. With the proper sequencing of water refill valves 200 and air inlet and outlet valves 202, this embodiment allows for the refilling of the pressure vessel 190 nearly simultaneously with the water discharging operation through water discharge lines 204, 206 to the downstream penstock and hydroelectric turbine. This will allow for a higher utilization rate of the pressure vessels 190, which will allow for less capital cost for the construction of the pressure vessels 190.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate water travel in the right to left direction under the operation of the left hand winch 192 and left to right water travel under the operation of the right hand winch 194. Operation of the system results in back and forth operation of the winches 192, 194 with a resultant reciprocation in the component elements of the system resulting in continuous energy production. As previously noted with reference to other embodiments, the pressure vessel 190 is an integral component of an electricity generating facility as described in this application that includes a water supply, a downstream hydroelectric turbine and a downstream water discharge zone that may be a closed loop or open loop system. Also as disclosed, a plurality of pressure vessels 190 will operate in sequence whereby pressurized water is at all times being supplied to the downstream hydroelectric turbine.

Referring to FIG. 18, a double-acting pressure vessel 210 is shown, and includes water feed lines 212 by which water is introduced into the interior 214 of the pressure vessel 210. A push plate 216 having the same basic structure and operation as push plate 166 of FIG. 14 is positioned in the pressure vessel 210 and reciprocates within the pressure vessel 210 under the impetus and control of a double acting hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218. During the pressure stroke the hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218 moves the push plate 216 right to left pressurizing the water in the pressure vessel 210 and forcing it out of the pressure vessel 210 through the water discharge line 220 and downstream to the hydroelectric turbine, not shown. On the return stroke the hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218 moves the push plate 216 left to right with the rollers 224 reducing friction on the push plate 216. See also FIG. 14 and above description of FIG. 14 for further details.

Some examples of materials other than strengthened CCR or roller-compacted concrete that can be used alone or in combination in the construction of dams, reservoirs and water impoundments, include but are not limited to rock fill, boulders, soil cement, earthen fill, cohesive soils, precast, sheet piling, secant piling, masonry, slag, concrete, soil mixing, existing elevation features such as hills and surface elevation changes, grout faced rock, boulders, soil, or masonry, geomembranes on rock, boulders, earthen fill, or masonry, concrete faced rock fill, boulders, earthen fill, or masonry, steel, mine tailings, mortar fill between masonry or rock, rip-rap protection, underwater wood cribbing in combination with other materials and stone.

The above materials, along with strengthened CCR and/or roller compacted concrete can be used when the base is constructed using CCR alone, or using only the existing topography, or with the use or combination of existing topography and the beneficial use of CCR.

The construction and use of pumped storage water reservoirs and, in particular, the construction of such reservoirs utilizing Coal Combustion Residuals according to the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims. 

We claim:
 1. A pumped storage electricity generating system, comprising: (a) a water reservoir; (b) at least one pressure vessel positioned in a lower, gravity inducing water flow position relative to the water reservoir and adapted for being gravity operated by water flow from the water reservoir; and (c) at least one hydroelectric turbine adapted for being rotated by the water pressure generated by the operation of the pressure vessel to thereby generate an output flow of electrical energy.
 2. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 1, and including: (a) a water feed line for introducing water into the pressure vessel from the water reservoir under gravity-induced pressure; (b) a push plate mounted for reciprocating movement within the pressure vessel; (c) a first push plate driver responsive to the water under gravity-induced pressure and adapted for moving the push plate within the pressure vessel in a first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel; (d) a second push plate driver responsive to the water under gravity-induced pressure and adapted for moving the push plate in a second direction that is the reciprocal of the first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel; and (e) a water discharge line for conveying the water pressure generated in the pressure vessel to the hydroelectric turbine.
 3. A pumped storage electricity generating system, comprising: (a) a water feed line for introducing water into the pressure vessel; (b) water flow valves communicating with the pressure vessel to control introduction of water into the pressure vessel; and (c) a push plate mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between opposed first and second winches adapted for reciprocating the push plate linearly between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel through the water flow valves and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 4. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 3, wherein the pressure vessel is adapted to work in a open loop, continuous cyclical manner during hydroelectric power generation.
 5. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 4, wherein the feed lines are lower in elevation than the water source and located at a higher elevation than the hydroelectric turbine.
 6. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 4, wherein the pressure vessels are positioned in a parallel/side-by-side array.
 7. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 4, wherein the pressure vessels are positioned in a series/in-line array.
 8. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 4, wherein the pump hydroelectric generation facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.
 9. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 8, wherein the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir are contained in respective upper and lower impoundments constructed of encapsulated CCR, reinforced CCR slopes and a covering of vegetation.
 10. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 9, wherein the upper and lower impoundments each include a base lined with an impervious liner and the reinforced CCR slopes are protected and reinforced by a roller compacted concrete berm encircling the respective upper and lower reservoirs.
 11. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 1, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel by gravity or mechanical pumps and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 12. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 11, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel by gravity or mechanical pumps and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 13. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 3, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between first and second piston/cylinder assemblies adapted for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 14. A generating system according to claim 3, the pump hydroelectric generation facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes the hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.
 15. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 14, wherein the upper reservoir is formed by a dam behind which is stored water to be transferred to the pressure vessel, the dam being constructed at least in part of CCR.
 16. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 15, wherein: (a) the dam is constructed of CCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials; and (b) the sloped sides of the dam are protected from weather and erosion by materials selected from the group consisting of rip rap, stone and environmental fabrics.
 17. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 18, wherein the dam is constructed at least in part of CCR and is of a design selected from the group consisting of simple slope-sided, core, diaphragm and sheet pile dams.
 18. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 18, and including a roller compacted concrete dam constructed of multiple layers of compacted concrete formed in a stair step configuration and a secondary redundant dam with sloped sides constructed of CCR as a sole construction material. 